Delta’s Platinum and Diamond elite status levels include “Choice Benefits” in addition to many automatic perks. Platinum elites can choose one Choice Benefit each year, and Diamond elites can choose three. This guide will help you choose…
Delta Choice Benefit Overview
| 2024 Choice Benefits | Platinum (Choose 1) | Diamond (Choose 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrade Certificates | 4 Regional | 4 Global, or 8 Regional, or 2 Global + 4 Regional |
| Statement Credits for Delta Platinum & Reserve cardholders | $200 | $500 |
| Starbucks® Rewards Stars | 4,000 Stars | 4,000 Stars |
| Delta Sky Club Executive Membership | N/A | Requires 3 Choice Benefits |
| Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) Earn Boost | 500 MQDs | 1,000 MQDs |
| Gift Medallion Status | 2 Silver Medallion | 2 Gold Medallion |
| Bonus Miles | 20,000 | 25,000 |
| Delta Vacations® Experience (Flight + Hotel) | $400 | $500 |
| Sustainable Aviation Fuel Contribution | $250 | $250 |
| Delta Travel Voucher | $250 | $250 |
- MQD ACCELERATOR: The current MQD Earn Boost is being renamed and enhanced. You will now have the choice of $1,000 MQDs as a Platinum selection and $2,000 MQDs as a Diamond selection.
- DELTA SKY CLUB® MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS: In addition to the current Executive Membership option (which requires 3 selections), Diamond members will be able to select an individual membership in exchange for 2 Choice Benefit selections.
- MORE BONUS MILES: The "Bonus Miles" selection will offer more miles than before with 30,000 miles as a Platinum Choice Benefit and 35,000 miles as a Diamond Choice Benefit.
- DELTA TRAVEL VOUCHER: The travel voucher selection will offer more value than before with a $300 voucher as a Platinum Choice Benefit and a $350 voucher as a Diamond Choice Benefit.
- WHEELS UP CREDIT: Delta will be offering some kind of credit towards private flights. Details haven't yet been released.
Choice Benefit Details
Upgrade Certificates
- Platinum: 4 Regional
- Diamond: 4 Global OR 8 Regional OR 2 Global AND 4 Regional
- Expiration: Certificates must be booked and flown by the end of the Medallion Year. For example, upgrade certs from 2024 Choice Benefits are valid through the end of January 2025. They cannot be applied to a flight departing February 1 2025, or later.
- Greg’s take: Now that upgrades confirm into Premium Select from main cabin tickets (instead of confirming into Delta One), they’re not as valuable as they used to be, but I still find them to be among the most valuable choices. You can now apply upgrade certs online in some situations, and they can be applied to award tickets, companion tickets, and to Delta Vacation packages. Additionally, it is still possible to score an upgrade to Delta One in multiple ways: 1) Purchase a Premium Select ticket; 2) Purchase an economy ticket on a flight that does not offer Premium Select; or 3) Purchase an economy ticket, use the cert to upgrade to Premium Select, and then hope for a free upgrade to Delta One within 24 hours of the flight.
- Related posts:
Details from Delta’s website:
Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates have a higher priority than Medallion Complimentary Upgrade requests. Certificates must be booked and flown by the end of the Medallion Year associated with that Choice Benefit selection, regardless of when the Choice Benefit was selected.
Global Upgrades: On Delta and select partner-operated flights, one-way Global Upgrade Certificates can be used for yourself and/or multiple companions on all paid, published Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+®, and Delta Premium Select fares, except on Basic Economy. They can also be used on Award Travel tickets and Miles + Cash tickets on Delta-operated flights, Pay with Miles tickets, Companion Certificates and tickets booked as a part of a Delta Vacations® package.
Regional Upgrades: On Delta flights, one-way Regional Upgrade Certificates can be used for yourself and/or multiple companions on all paid, published Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+ fares, except on Basic Economy. They can also be used on Award Travel tickets and Miles + Cash tickets on Delta-operated flights, Pay with Miles tickets, Companion Certificates and tickets booked as a part of a Delta Vacations® package. You can use these certificates on the same routes as Medallion Complimentary Upgrades, including all flights with First Class and the domestic Delta One experience.
Statement Credits
Anyone with a Delta Platinum consumer or business card, or a Delta Reserve consumer or business card can select a statement credit as a Choice Benefit.
- Platinum: $200
- Diamond: $500
- Expiration: Select before your elite year ends (e.g. if you qualify in 2023 for the 2024 elite year, then you must select benefits before the end of January 2025).
- Greg’s take: I wouldn’t take the $200 credit for the Platinum Choice Benefit, but $500 for a Diamond Choice benefit is a great option. Unlike most other benefits, this one never expires (e.g. once you get the statement credit, there’s no need to “use it” within a set period of time).
- Details from Delta’s website:
Platinum and Diamond Medallion Members with a Delta SkyMiles Platinum, Delta SkyMiles Reserve, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card can choose to receive a statement credit on one of the above Cards associated with their SkyMiles account, per Medallion status tier. Benefit limited to Basic Card Members.
Members will be able to select the American Express Statement Credit beginning February 1, 2023. The statement credit will be fulfilled starting July 1, 2023. The selected Card must not be canceled or past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment to receive the American Express Statement Credit. Terms and conditions apply.
If member applies for or upgrades to a Delta SkyMiles Platinum, Delta SkyMiles Reserve, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business, or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card, member may only select Statement Credit after Card approval. Card will be associated with SkyMiles account 48 hours after approval, and American Express Statement Credit Choice Benefit will be available for selection after the Card Member has reached 2024 Platinum Medallion Status or 2024 Diamond Medallion Status.
Starbucks® Rewards Stars
- Platinum: 4,000 Stars
- Diamond: 4,000 Stars
- Expiration: Unused Stars will expire 6 months after the end of the calendar month in which they were deposited into your Starbucks® Rewards account.
- Greg’s take: Please don’t choose this. Considering the recent Starbucks Stars devaluation and the fact that you only have 6 months to use the Stars, this seems to me to be one of the worst Choice Benefits.
Details from Delta’s website:
Platinum and Diamond Medallion Members may choose 4,000 Starbucks® Rewards Stars as their Choice Benefit. Stars will be deposited into your account and may be redeemed for coffee, food or merchandise at participating Starbucks stores. Please provide up to 48 hours for the Stars to appear in your account. Unused Stars will expire 6 months after the end of the calendar month in which they were deposited into your Starbucks® Rewards account. To be eligible for this Choice Benefit, you must first link your Starbucks® Rewards account with your Delta SkyMiles account. To link accounts, click here (deltastarbucks.com). Please note you must wait 1-2 hours after linking to return to complete benefit selection.
Delta Sky Club Executive Membership
- Platinum: N/A
- Diamond: One Executive Membership requires all 3 Diamond Choice Benefit selections
- Expiration: Membership is valid for the duration of your membership year. For example, if you earn Diamond status in 2023 for the 2024 year, your membership will be valid through the end of February 2025.
- Greg’s take: I think that most people would be better off taking other Choice Benefits. Use a Delta Reserve card to access the club and use the card’s two guest vouchers for occasional club guests or pay for guests. You would have to bring guests along a lot to make this choice worthwhile.
Details from Delta’s website:
Diamond Medallion Members may choose an Executive Membership. For Members who select this option, two guests are complimentary or a spouse/domestic partner and children under 21. You may also bring two additional guests while paying the applicable guest fee provided you and your guests are flying on Delta or its partner airlines.
Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) Earn Boost
- Platinum: 500 MQDs
- Diamond: 1,000 MQDs
- Expiration: Select before you elite year ends. MQDs apply to the following elite year.
- Greg’s take: Anyone seeking Platinum status or lower should skip this. It’s much easier to spend $25,000 on a Delta Platinum or Reserve card to get an MQD waiver, plus you’ll also earn MQMs with that spend (earn 10K MQMs with $25K spend on a Delta Platinum card, or 15K MQMs with $30K spend on a Reserve card). Since a Diamond MQD Waver requires $250,000 spend, those seeking Diamond status may want to pick this choice if they’ll have enough MQMs but expect to be just a little bit short of the required MQDs for Diamond status. If you do pick this one, pay close attention to the details about when the MQDs are applied and for which elite year.
Details from Delta’s website:
MQD Boost for Platinum and Diamond selections will be applied toward qualifying for the next Medallion Year Status; 2024 Medallion Choice Benefit selections will apply Medallion Qualification Dollars toward qualification for the 2025 Medallion Year. Platinum Medallion selections do not apply toward earning Diamond Medallion Status for the current Qualification Year. MQDs are non-transferable and cannot be gifted. Medallion Qualification Dollars will not be viewable in My Profile and fulfilled until the beginning of the next Medallion Year; for 2024 Medallion Choice Benefit selections, Medallion Qualification Dollars will be deposited into the account in January 2024 for qualification toward the 2025 Medallion Year.
Give Medallion Status
- Platinum: Give Silver Medallion status to two people
- Diamond: Give Gold Medallion status to two people
- Expiration: Gifted status expires at the end of your elite year. For example, if you earn Platinum status in 2023 for the 2024 elite year, gifted Silver status will last until the end of January 2025.
- Greg’s take: If you have friends or family that would benefit, this could be a great choice! Silver status alone gives members free upgrades, priority seat selection, a free checked bag, etc.
- Related post: What is Delta elite status worth?
Details from Delta’s website:
Gifting Gold or Silver Medallion Status
For 2023 Medallion Status, Gifted Medallion Status can only be gifted to one (1) recipient who currently has no Medallion Status or has Medallion Status below the gifted Tier. Gifted Medallion Status will be effective within 48 hours of selection and digital Medallion credentials can be found in the Fly Delta app. For selections made for 2023 Choice Benefits, recipient status is valid through January 31, 2024.
For 2024 Medallion Status, Gifted Medallion Status can only be gifted to up to two (2) recipients who currently have no Medallion Status or have Medallion Status below the gifted Tier. Both Gifted Medallion Status Members must be determined at the time of selection. Members must have the SkyMiles Member number for both recipients to include at the time of selection. Members who choose to only gift one Member status will not be allowed to redeem the second gift Status at a later date. Gifted Medallion Status will be effective within 48 hours of selection and digital Medallion credentials can be found in the Fly Delta app. For selections made for 2024 Choice Benefits, recipient status is valid through January 31, 2025.
Bonus Miles
- Platinum: 20,000 SkyMiles
- Diamond: 25,000 SkyMiles
- Expiration: None
- Greg’s take: With SkyMiles now worth about 1.5 cents each for Delta cardholders, and considering that SkyMiles never expire, this is now one of the most valuable Platinum Choice Benefits and a fair Diamond Choice Benefit.
- Related posts:
Details from Delta’s website:
Add miles to your account, gift them to another SkyMiles Member or donate them to a SkyWish charity of your choice.
Delta Vacations® Experience (Flight + Hotel)
- Platinum: $400 Voucher
- Diamond: $500 Voucher
- Expiration: Valid for one year after issuance
- Greg’s take: I find Delta Vacations a bit of a pain to work with, but now that Delta Vacations flights can be upgraded with upgrade certificates, they’re not as bad as they used to be. If you know that you will book a Delta Vacation within the time frame, this Choice Benefit offers solid value.
Details from Delta’s website:
Use toward a Delta Vacations experience (flight + hotel). Valid for one year after issuance and must be redeemed by the eligible Medallion Member.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Contribution
- Platinum: $250 in SAF
- Diamond: $250 in SAF
- Expiration: None
- Greg’s take: Personally I’d prefer to make tax deductible donations towards sustainable practices, but if this particular use of $250 is meaningful to you, go for it.
Details from Delta’s website:
Support Delta’s journey towards a sustainable future for aviation by contributing $250 towards Delta’s use of sustainable aviation fuel.
Delta Travel Voucher
- Platinum: $250
- Diamond: $250
- Expiration: Valid for 12 months from the date of issuance
- Greg’s take: This can be nearly as good as cash for those who book paid Delta flights often. $250 for a Platinum Choice Benefit is pretty good (but I’d prefer 20,000 miles which never expire and can be worth about $300 in flights). For Diamond benefits, you can do better.
Details from Delta’s website:
The Delta Travel Voucher is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance and is also applicable toward a Delta Vacations package. The Delta Travel Voucher is non-transferable and can only be used by the Medallion Member selecting the benefits.
Delta Choice Benefit FAQ
Where to find the Choice Benefits selection page
The normal way to find the Choice Benefits page is to log into your Delta account on Delta.com and click around until you find it (Click SkyMiles… My SkyMiles… and look for Choice Benefits). Alternatively, you can click here to jump directly to the Choice Benefits page.
Which Platinum Choice Benefits are worthwhile?
Each year, once you qualify for Platinum Medallion status, you’ll have the option to select a single Choice Benefit. Here are the 2024 Platinum Choice Benefits that I think are worth considering:
- Regional upgrade certificates. These can be used to upgrade to first class. While these rarely clear at the time of booking, they at least put you to the front of the line for upgrades at the gate. This is great to use for flights where upgrades are most important to you. For example, I use these for flights of about 3 hours or longer. This is a choice benefit for Platinum and Diamond status. Upgrade certificates can be applied to both paid and award tickets.
- Gift Silver Medallion status. This became much more valuable starting with 2024 choices since we can now gift status to two people instead of just one. See also: What is Delta elite status worth?
- Bonus miles. Now that Delta SkyMiles tend to be worth around 1.5 cents per point for Delta cardholders (see this post for details), cardholders can expect to get around $300 value from the 20K mile Platinum Choice. Even better (and unlike most other Choice Benefits), miles never expire.
- Delta Vacations voucher. If you don’t mind the limitations inherent in booking travel packages, you can get $400 value with a Platinum choice. That’s excellent (as long as you use it before it expires!).
Which Diamond Choice Benefits are worthwhile?
Each year, once you qualify for Diamond Medallion status, you’ll have the option to select three Choice Benefits. Here are the 2024 Platinum Choice Benefits that I think are worth considering:
- Global upgrade certificates. Use these on any long distance or international flight to upgrade from coach to premium economy, or directly to business class when premium economy isn’t available. Delta will no longer confirm an upgrade in advance from cheap economy to Delta One business class. Instead, Delta will immediately upgrade you to Premium Economy and then put you on the upgrade list to business class 24 hours before your flight. Upgrade certificates can be applied to both paid and award tickets.
- $500 statement credit (2024 and beyond). This Diamond Choice Benefit is an easy win for anyone with a Delta Platinum or Delta Reserve card. Since most Choice Benefits expire either at the end of the elite year or one year from issue, it’s great to have a new benefit that doesn’t have that drawback (the Bonus Miles choice is the other one where the value of the choice doesn’t expire).
- Gift Gold Medallion status. This became much more valuable starting with 2024 choices since we can now gift status to two people instead of just one. See also: What is Delta elite status worth?
- Bonus miles. Now that Delta SkyMiles tend to be worth around 1.5 cents per point for Delta cardholders (see this post for details), cardholders can expect to get around $375 value from the 25K mile Diamond Choice. Even better (and unlike most other Choice Benefits), miles never expire.
- Delta Vacations voucher. If you don’t mind the limitations inherent in booking travel packages, you can get $500 value with a Diamond choice. That’s very good (as long as you use it before it expires!).
When do Delta Choice Benefits expire, and when should I pick them?
All Choice Benefits must be selected by the time your earned status expires. That translates to the end of January, two calendar years after you earned status. For example, if you earned status in 2023 for the 2024 calendar year, then your status is good until January 31, 2025. You must select all of your Choice Benefits by that date or you’ll lose them. It’s important to understand though that some of the options are useless if you wait until the last moment to pick them. Upgrade Certificates, gifted elite status, and SkyClub memberships expire when your earned elite status expires (Jan 31 on the second year after status was earned).
Benefits to choose as soon as possible
The following benefits are only valid until your elite year is complete (i.e. through January 2025 for those who earned status in 2023):
- Upgrade Certificates
- Gift Silver or Gold status
- Delta Sky Club Executive Membership
Benefits to choose when you’re ready to use them
- Delta Vacations® Experience (Flight + Hotel): Valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.
- Delta Travel Voucher: Valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.
- Starbucks® Rewards Stars: Unused Stars will expire 6 months after the end of the calendar month in which they were deposited into your Starbucks® Rewards account.
Benefits that can be chosen any time
These options have no time constraints regarding when they must be used:
- Statement Credits
- 20,000 or 25,000 Bonus Miles
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel Contribution
Can I change my Choice Benefit selection?
No. Once you pick a Choice Benefit, you cannot change it.
Do Centurion Cardholders get Choice Benefits?
The invite-only Amex Centurion Card offers automatic Delta Platinum Medallion status to the cardholder. In order to get a Platinum Choice Benefit, cardholders must fly a minimum of eight Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) after Status is awarded to be eligible for Choice Benefits.
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With 2025 year choice benefits posting, now would be a good time for an update.
Several material changes in these benefits, e.g. $400 Platinum /$700 Diamond statement credits vs. $200/$500 for 2024.
Having just finished the challenge for Platinum, I’m trying to decide between $400, 2 silver status gifts through Jan 2026, and RUCs that seem hard to redeem.
So, I hit Diamond status last year and used my choice benefits for Delta Sky Club access. I just hit Diamond today, for 2024 status. I went on to choose my Choice Benefits but I don’t have an option for the Delta Sky Club. Will that option appear once my current membership expires / runs out?
No, they won’t reintroduce the Individual Sky Club membership option until next year for those qualifying for 2025 status (and it will then require 2 choices). For this year, I don’t think there’s any advantage of having that membership over having an Amex Platinum or Delta Reserve card. Limits to Sky Club entry via card membership doesn’t start until Feb 2025.
If I achieved Platinum and will hit Diamond in a few weeks. Do I get the one Platinum pick and then the 3 Diamond when I cross that threshold?
Yes
If you buy an executive membership can you acess the club anytime not flying delta flying different airlines(not partners)?
No, only if you are flying Delta or a SkyTeam airline.
Delta complains about the club overcrowding, but gets rid of the individual membership. Executive membership can bring in a spouse and unlimited number of people under 21. Diamond members like myself are road warriors, and fly alone 99%+ of the time. Delta’s team really screwed over their top fliers with this, especially with the GUC downgrades and upping DM MQD requirement to $20k. I will have no issue making this, but the pencil pushers need to stop taking their top fliers for granted.
Do you think Delta will restore the value of GUCs going from econ to business (rather than just one cabin upgrades) once the glut of covid rollover members are off the books next year?
My guess is no, but it is something they can do to really elevate the Diamond experience again as it was a massive devaluation.
My guess is also no
Can you triple-dip on the $500 statement credits as a Diamond?
Maybe, but I think you would need three different eligible cards
Well, Delta and/or Amex would have to clarify before I’m willing to put the spend in for another round of Diamond. I’ll be just fine with Platinum and no more worrying about my GUCs never clearing. Easier this way
What would you say is the (reasonable) maximum value a person could obtain from these benefits if one were a Diamond or a Platinum? Thanks in advance.
Proof positive that the DL Loyalty team are hired as finance/sales people who negotiate benefits with internal product managers rather than marketers inciting consumer behavior.
You got that right. They care more about the credit card users than actual flyers.
If you are diamone, can you select the same item twice? Like 2 sets of 4 RUC & 2 GUC? thank you!
Not for the upgrade certs. You can only choose that benefit once. So only 4 GUC, 2 and 4 or 8 RUC. But you can also choose 4RUC for your platinum benefit
Can I select 4 RUC with platinum status and then select 4 GUC when I reach diamond with two other selections?
Yes